In celebration of our third birthday, we invited a bunch of musicians to detail their experiences of the number three. We asked them to pen a story about how Third Time Lucky, the Rule of Threes or Three’s A Crowd has applied at some time in their life, whether it’s personal, musical or anything else!
Now, sit back, grab a drink (or three) and enjoy our series of Third Time Around. You can tweet us your birthday wishes here, or send us a birthday e-card here.
Paul Wilkinson of Philadelphia roots-rock band Mason Porter gives us a reflection on three.
Well, hello, fine Sooters! I hope this finds you well!
Mason Porter will be celebrating nine years of making music this fall. Me, along with Joe D’Amico, and Tim Celfo, have been through all nine years together. The three of us have been through a creative exploration of the musical universe that I wouldn’t trade in for anything. Throughout the years as a band, we have performed anywhere from a three-piece to a six-piece. These changes in lineup over the years have allowed us to dwell in many different musical spaces. On our latest EP, Key to the Skyway, the six-piece band was necessary to provide the sonic pallet and variety of textures necessary to bring the songs to life in the studio.
So, we hunkered down into Jim Salamone’s studio, Cambridge Sound Studios in Philadelphia, PA, for three days in January to get done the majority of the recording of the EP.
It’s a perfectly fitting time of year, now, as I sit in the heart of summer, to reflect on the chorus of track three, Seeds of Summer, as written Joe D’Amico, the swiftest of pen in Mason Porter:
“Way down the road
Tomorrow knows
I’ll wait forever there
Wait for you to call my name”
These lines make me reflect on the lyrics from Bob Dylan’s song , Tomorrow is A Long Time:
“I can’t hear the echo of my footsteps
Or can’t remember the sound of my own name
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin’
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin’
Only if she was lyin’ by me
Then I’d lie in my bed once again.”
There is just something about time and reflection that make you wonder how time can pass and tomorrow is still not here. How to wait for something that doesn’t arrive? Woh!
Anyway… Happy third birthday Soot!
Great things get done by doing them today!
Seeds of Summer available online here.
